Author's Note: Hey everyone, thanks so much for your patience. College semester started for me so I'm a bit tied up with that at the moment, but don't let that deter you from continuing to follow this story. I am determined to finish it. :) If you guys haven't read my last comment in the review section, the next update for this story won't be up next Friday, but instead, I will write a special Valentine's one-shot fanfic in relation to my first saga, "Eyes of Truth". So if you miss Soujiro of that version, you will all see him again on Valentine's Day, Thursday the 14th. It might be posted on the day after, but I'll try to post it on V-day as a special thank you for your unwavering support.

Anyhoo, enjoy and happy weekend!

"I want your bones inside my bones
Under the lights we went
Wearing our chimes we bled out
Fennel and lashes wet
Heart on a diamond thread now"

- RY X

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"On this day.. the monster climbs from underneath the darkness.. to gather the strength from devouring the princess of the castle!"

The curtains lift, Kaoru's lips parting with a gasp and a coo as my hand lifts into view from the small table in front of her, adorned in a cloth dragon puppet. I move my hand to slide to the right, towards the toy castle set that Kaoru's parents brought for her for this year's seventh birthday. On top of the castle is the princess puppet, with golden yarn hair and in a sparkly pink dress. Kaoru had a rough day today; her parents were fighting and her dad 'went to sleep some place else', but it had already been days since she last saw him. She worries that he might've died and have been devoured by a real life monster.

And as a way to comfort her, I made her a puppet show.

"Oh no, Kenshin, save the princess!" Kaoru squeals helplessly, bouncing on her kneecaps.

"Never fear, my princess!" My other hand comes up now, this time holding an out-of-place toy soldier, "I will save you!"

Kaoru starts to giggle in a high pitch as I smack the toy soldier onto the dragon, me making these silly swooshing and whispered screams to act out a murderous scene. This continues for a painful minute, but finally, the dragon has been defeated. The knight climbs up from the vines on the side of the castle to get to his princess, "My beloved princess. I have saved you from that beast. It is safe now."

"Ohh, sir knight!" I swoon with a girlish dialect now, making Kaoru giggle at my antics, "I must marry you now!"

"Yes, marry her, marry her!" Kaoru cheers from where she sits, and I smush the two toys together to lock them into a passionate kiss, "Ewww!"

I throw the princess puppet at her, "At least you feel better, huh?"

She hugs the princess puppet to her blushing face, "Yeah but that's so icky!"

"I know. I saw it on TV. Why do grown ups do that?" I grimace and shake my head at that nonsense, "Let's never do that, okay?"

"Okay!" She hops on her kneecaps one more time before getting up, "Do you want to play some more?"

"Nah, I'm tired." I rub one of my eye as if to prove a point, walking on over to her bed, "My dad is picking me up soon but I don't know when."

"Oh. Are you coming back tomorrow after school?" Kaoru walks over to the bed as well, and we both sit on the edge of the bed together, "Maybe we can have a tea party with Sano and Yahiko together!"

I shudder, "No way! We're all going to go bike riding tomorrow!"

"I don't.." Kaoru looks down on herself, "have a bike.."

I gape at her, "Wait, really?"

She looks up, nodding.

I look at her, bewildered. Then I whoop into cruel laughter, making Kaoru gasp and whine, "That's not funny!"

"Yes it is!" I try to tone down my laughter, but that only made it stronger, and soon I plop down on my back.

"It's not funny!" Kaoru repeats herself, and when I peak at her with one eye while laughing, I can see her wet tears. That shut me up real fast.

I quickly sit up and hold her forearms, "K-Kaoru, wait! Don't cry! I didn't mean to laugh.."

"Yes you did!" She cried into her hands, and I immediately deflate in guilt, so I hugged her.

"It's okay. It's alright. How about this.. you can.. you can ride my bike. You can tag along with us and you can use my bike the whole way through."

She sniffles, wiping her tears with her arm, "But.. what about you, Kenshin..?"

I grin, "It's okay. I don't mind. I'll even help you balance. I know you're not good at riding bikes yet."

She huffs, blushing, "You're so mean!"

"How am I mean? I'm giving you my bike!"

She's quiet for a few moments. I know my dad has enough money to buy me a bike like it's nothing.. but I know her parents don't have that kind of cash now to spend on their daughter the way she deserves it. I hug her tighter, showing her that I am willing to give her anything her heart desires. She's my friend, after all, and I'm going to take care of her for the rest of my life. Hiko always told me to treat a lady well, after all.

"Okay, Kenshin. I'll ride your bike. Thank you.." She smiles subtly.

I smirk, hugging her tighter, "Your welcome."

Kaoru has it rough. I don't have my parents, so she is luckier than me for that one. But I'm glad she is luckier than I am. She just has it rough whenever she wants something that costs money, because her parents struggle with paying other stuff. What those other stuff are, I really don't know or understand. I thought being an adult means you can get everything you want for free.

"Kenshin, I don't want to marry anyone except you!" She gleefully declares, taking me a back by her sudden boldness.

"Gross! I never want to marry anyone!" I make a fake gagging sound.

"Not even me?" She pouts, and even I couldn't say no to that face. I sigh, laughing under my breath at her.

"Okay, maybe I'll marry you. But no one comes to our wedding. It'll be a secret."

"Oh. Okay!" She giggles, "I like it better that way. We can eat all the cake to ourselves!"

"Exactly!"

"You're my best boy friend, Kenshin." She hops off from the bed, "Let's go find cookies!"

"Okay!"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"K.. Kaoru, I.."

I can feel my entire self glowing red from blushing. There probably isn't much contrast between my hair and my face, looking at Kaoru lying on her bed wearing her sexy garments. Scarlet red fabrics against ivory skin. Her lips tinted in a red gloss that surely must've been borrowed from Megumi's stash. Is she.. wearing more makeup than usual? Did Misao did all of that to Kaoru's face? Kaoru hardly looks like herself anymore. And I mean that in a good way. She looks.. really beautiful.. Seeing her in a way I have never dreamed of seeing her before. I never knew she had it in her to do something like this. But not only that, isn't it so.. soon, by her standards, to have sex when we've barely dated a month in? I knew that something is up. I think she's being set up or manipulated by someone, somehow. It can't be Soujiro behind all of this, can it? As a way to break us up because this would freak me out and send me running for the hills? Or maybe it's her girl friends thinking she needs to get over her sexual inexperience and have sex with me already?

She sits up and places her fingers near her mouth shyly, "Do you.. do you like it?"

Kaoru and I have known each other since we were six years old. Twelve years later, we are now adults and in a very awkward, sexual situation. You'd expect this kind of thing from cheesy movies, but not in real life. Well, maybe the truth really can be stranger than fiction sometimes. I had a crush on her for the longest time, and something like this would've sent me to the moon if I have never met Soujiro. Isn't this what I always wanted? What I always dreamed about when I think about Kaoru and have my hand down my boxers? This should make me happy, but.. now it's just weird. But I have to respond soon, because my silence seem to be hurting her feelings, judging by the look in her eyes.

".. I do. But Kaoru.. this isn't what you want to do, is it?"

"Oh yes, Kenshin, I do! I really do!" She places her hand down, her cheeks still flushed, "I have.. thought about this for the longest time now. I know we haven't dated for long, but.. I want you to remember me as intimately as you remember all those other girls you used to.."

She couldn't finish, looking down at herself sadly. Oh, Kaoru. I know what you're thinking. I carefully walk on over to sit on the edge of her bed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, just like I used to do all those years ago, "You don't have to do this or prove anything to me, Kaoru. I'm not with those girls because it was just for fun. I didn't liked them or wouldn't like dating them. I'm dating you instead! I like dating you. I like being with you. And I really like you, so you don't have to have sex with me just so I can like you more."

Did I just.. said all of those things? Wasn't I supposed to dump her for Soujiro now? Shouldn't I be saying all those things to Soujiro, instead? I bet he's going to be so pissed off if I don't up and dump Kaoru now before we end up doing something we'll both regret. I don't think Soujiro would appreciate me being with a scantily clad girl while he's out there, biting his thumb anxiously and waiting for my next call..

Looking at Kaoru though, this vulnerable and sensitive young woman that I have known for so long now.. my chest is aching with a deep pain of absolute guilt. Kaoru really has it rough in her life, and she never asked for much, because she knows that the answer will always be no. Now that she got to date me, I bet she's thinking that we will be together in the long term, just like she always wanted. And it's going to hurt when life will also tell her no on that wish, too. I don't know what to do. She has been such a great friend to me over the years and this is not how you thank someone. I shouldn't play with her emotions. I shouldn't abandon her when she feels so elated from Soujiro's entrance in our lives. She got to shop for more clothes now than ever before. She got to visit that famous tea store thanks to him. And in a way, maybe she's thanking him now for teaching me to be bold enough to ask her hand at the dance.

And how do we both thank her?

By fucking each other behind her back.

Behind everybody's backs.

I shouldn't..

"Ken―!?"

I kiss her on the lips, wrapping both my arms around her this time. I shouldn't. I shouldn't do this. I should stop this. I shouldn't do this to Soujiro.. or to Kaoru. But I couldn't help myself suddenly. She just looks so nice. And all for me, on top of that. I've wanted this for such a long time now and if I dump her, she'll never let me have sex with her. She is stunned for a moment by this spontaneous spur, but then eases into the kiss. I reach behind her to unclasp her bra.

Just for today.. I'm going to thank Kaoru in a way that'll make her feel good.

She deserves that and more..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Holy shit.

What have I done?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

My eyes crack open to the ceilings that I have no recollection of. That's not my ceiling. And it's not Soujiro's ceiling, either. It's Kaoru's. It's her's because I'm still in her room. I'm in her room because I'm in her bed. And.. I'm in her bed because we just had sex. We just had sex and I took her virginity. I took her virginity. My face feels clammy and my eyes turn to the side to a sleeping Kaoru. Oh shit. Are her parents home? The skies outside looks just faint of lavender, so I think I'm in clear for now. Maybe her parents are working late again. Oh wait. That's right. They're gone for the weekend. Is it the morning after?

.. Wait, is it?

I sit up with a jump, which only made Kaoru grumble and turn around to sleep some more.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh fuck. Was Soujiro expecting to hear from me after I told him goodbye? For some reason I can't fucking remember. I quietly climb out of her bed to look for my phone on the floor, switching it on: Three missed text messages. One is from my step dad asking me where I am. Another one was from Yahiko, asking me the same and if I wanted to chill with him and the other boys later for some kush. And the third one.. I gulped.. Soujiro.

Did you guys break up yet?

I can feel my heart beat inside my throat now. I can't believe this. I fucking cheated on Soujiro. Well, I cheated on Kaoru first with Soujiro, but now I cheated on him WITH Kaoru of all people! Oh fucking dear god, I really fucked up tremendously this time. This isn't any regular hook up, either.. It's with my dear friend and whom she wasted her virginity with. I deflate glumly. Now she'll never know what it's like to give it to somebody who actually loves her. Holy mother of fuck, I am really screwed. If Soujiro finds out, there will be hell to pay. Not only that, but my friends may go as far as kick me out of their group for this. And who can blame them? I acted like a sleazy, dirty dog that only thinks with his dick. I'm a fuck up. I'm such a colossal fuck up! How am I ever going to fix this?!

Okay.. Okay. What do I need to do first? It's almost six in the morning. The first thing I should do is leave.. or.. I turn to look over my shoulder at the sleeping raven haired beauty.. should I just stay here? At least until she wakes up? Would be brutal for her to wake up on her bed alone after a night of painful yet intimate intercourse. It would doubly be crueler if I break up with her while she's naked in bed, too. Triple cruel if I dump her anyway long after that fact, since I took her innocence with no intentions of sticking it out with her for the long term. I inhale sharply. Oh man, this is beyond fucked up. If I don't dump her, that means I can't be with Soujiro. And if I can't be with Soujiro.. my heart swells painfully at that realization.

What am I going to do?

"Hmm.." I hear Kaoru sighing in her sleep, and I turn around just as she whispers, "Ken.. shin.."

I flush. Oh man. This is bad.

Her eyes flutter softly open, frowning before she wipes her face gently with the back of her hand to rub the sleepiness off. I sit on the edge of her bed before she realizes what is happening, "Hmm?"

"Morning." I whisper with a demure smile, her entire hair and face glowing periwinkle. She smiles sleepily in return.

"Good morning, Kenshin."

My heart jumps. Years ago, I developed feelings for Miss Kaoru. She wasn't like the other girls, and I don't mean it as a way to pit females against each other. What I mean was, is that she always saw the best in everybody, even if they don't deserve it. Like she did with Soujiro, unbeknownst to her that I am secretly having sex with him behind her back. She just thinks that everybody on Earth has the same pure intentions as she does, and it's just not true at all. Megumi and Misao, both more jaded than Kaoru from their rougher backgrounds, tried their best to get her to see that, to no avail. Kaoru just trusts that people will always choose the right choice just as she naturally does. And it makes this all the more harder for me and her. Because if it does come to light about me and Soujiro.. will she remain the same? Will she always look at the world through rose tinted glasses? Will she always remain sweet and nurturing?

Or will she become just like everybody else?

I flinch inwardly.

"Kenshin.." Kaoru whispers again, "Please. Come back to bed."

I shouldn't. I shouldn't do that. I should leave now. Run away from this place and run back into Soujiro's arms. Forget that last night ever happened. Forget the mistakes I've made and will continue to make. Maybe I am just like my son of a bitch father. Not Hiko, but my biological dad who left my mom and I. Maybe genes don't change even if the environment changes. I wonder how worse off I'd be like if my real dad stuck around. How horrible of a life that could've been. Though Hiko has his own issues, at least he tries and at least I can tell he loves me as if I were his own flesh and blood. Could my real dad have said the same thing with a straight face? I doubt it.

"Kenshin.."

I close my eyes.

I can imagine that said from his voice..

"Kenshin.."

"Ooh, Kenshin.."

"Right there.. Right there!"

"Kenshin.."

...

"Kenshin?"

I open my eyes again. I am still here when I really shouldn't. I should leave. But I can't. Not like this. I can't just up and leave Kaoru when she's so sleepy and so vulnerable like this. I refuse to be like my biological father. I climb back in and cuddle Kaoru into my arms, her face rubbing against mines lovingly. She smells so lovely, but far different than how Soujiro smells like. She smells like something vanilla, something subtle, something clean. Soujiro smells more metallic and masculine and intensive in contrast. Though it's nice to have her like this.. I'd much rather be back with him. With his smell. With his arms around me. His face against mines. I'd choose him over and over again, for the rest of my existence..

So then..

I close my eyes again, painfully.

Why am I still here?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Kenshin? Did you get my message yet?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Did you break up with her yet? Please respond. I miss you.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I spent the entire weekend ignoring Soujiro.

How can I face him? How can I talk to him? After doing what I just did? How could he ever trust me again? I don't know what to do from here. I still haven't broken up with Kaoru. In her little world, everything is peachy keen. In her world, it's a Disney movie, and she is a princess who just got married to her prince charming. In my world, it's an endless nightmare. As I lie on my bed on Sunday evening, I ignore the constant buzzing of my cell phone just so I can get a moment's calm. Between studying for homework and easing my step father's anxiety, it's a lot for a young man to take in. I'm an introvert by nature, so I need that space from everything and everyone so I can re-center myself.

Still.. I do miss Soujiro a lot. Maybe I can lie to him about why I haven't dumped Kaoru yet. Maybe I can make up something about her? I mean, it doesn't have to be a complete lie: If Kaoru's dad says that they don't like it that Kaoru spends so much time with us, I can use that to my advantage somehow. Maybe I can tell Soujiro that her parents' marriage is on the rocks and she really needs someone to be there for her, and who else except me, the guy who's been with her since the beginning? He'd have to understand that, losing a mother himself. Right? It wouldn't hurt to try, and again, it's not technically lying. It came straight from her father's mouth himself. Maybe Soujiro will then understand.

I text Soujiro: I'm so sorry :( I got sick all of a sudden? so fucking weird. anyway, are you okay? do you need me to come over?

omg. i thought you died. you can't come over, my dad's here. but you and i can schedule something this week.

cool.

so... did you break up with her yet?

actually.. i have to tell you something.

OMG. you didn't break up with her, didn't you?

it's not like that. it's about her parents.

... okay?

I bite my lower lip.

Maybe lying a little wouldn't hurt..

it's her dad. he's got a terminal illness.

I am so going to hell for this.

are you for real? what illness?

cancer. i don't wanna get specific. it's really sad and she's torn up over it. so she's been crying all weekend on me and.. i didn't have to hearts to just leave her right there and then, you know?

i guess so. oh my god. should i ask her about it?

OH GOD NO. she told me to keep this a secret between us close pals for now. she wants to come out to the other guys on her own. let's just give her that time and space, alright?

yeah, okay. :( that poor thing. i should take her out this week and get her mind off of things.

I gulp dryly. If he sees her all happy, he'll be suspicious, right? But I mean, I could lie and say she's just putting on a brave face for all of us. He could buy that story for sure. He trusts me. Why wouldn't he?

Because I just cheated on him. Duh. True love rules all.

yeah, totally. thanks, soujiro.

i miss you. when can i see you?

when will your dad leave again?

to be honest.. not for a while. things are going well so he's taking it easy here. i'll figure something for us this week.

okay :)

kenshin?

yeah?

i love you.

My heart swells. Oh.

i love you too.

Oh my God..

If only you knew what I did, Soujiro.. if only.. Will I lose you completely if I were to come clean now? Or would you hate me, rightfully so? If it comes to that, then I'm not going to tell you the truth. Rest assured, Soujiro, that we will be together in the near future. Just the two of us. I'll make sure of that. I will end this relationship I have with Kaoru, somehow, someway, so that you and I can move on together. We can go to the same university together! Maybe we can study the same major together, take the same classes together. Take the same extra curriculum together, and join the same clubs as well. We'd be conjoined by the hips, Soujiro. I'll make sure of that.

Just be patient, Soujiro..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Time passes. It's the week leading to Christmas, and we all did our mid-term exams. School is then let out for the holidays until after New Year's day. I think I did pretty well, considering I spent the past few weeks with Soujiro and studying with him. And sleeping with him on the down low, of course. I continue to date Kaoru, meanwhile. Since Hiko is thriving so well in his new job, he gives me a nice weekly allowance that I then use to spoil Kaoru whenever possible. Soujiro also gives me a bit of money here and there whenever he feels like getting his dick wet with me, and though I should know better than to be treated like this.. I take the money anyway, just so I can spoil Kaoru with it. It's a strange predicament to be in. How long can I walk on the threads of this web of lies that I've created?

How long until the threads snap?

I don't know, but dammit if I'll try.

Soujiro's dad decided to take a business vacation out to the United States with his new beau, and Soujiro declined wanting to come along since he just wants to hang out with his new friends here. He emphasized that his new friends are the rich preppy fucks from school, and not us glue sniffers, to disarm his stern father. His dad brought it, of course, and left without him. Which meant I was allowed to come over and sleep in his bed throughout the nights, lying to Hiko about my whereabouts meanwhile. It feels so good to just spend my days and nights with Soujiro, and not just inside the bedroom either. I like cooking with him. I like taking walks with him. I like watching TV and movies with him. I like doing shopping with him, and watching him browse the stores' goods with his penetrating blue eyes focusing. I like cuddling with him near the fireplace with him, sharing hot cocoa and kissing his cold face until he is warm with love. I just love spending my life with him.

The question is.. will I ever tell him the truth about that night I spent over Kaoru's?

Or will I take it to the grave?

It's a Sunday afternoon, just two days before Christmas day, and Soujiro has completed his holiday shopping. He got something for everybody in his life, from his father to Sano, Yahiko, Aoshi, Megumi, Misao, Kaoru, all the way down to me, though I most certainly don't fucking deserve it. Still, I kept my mouth shut, and also brought something for everybody in my life as well. I got something extra special for Soujiro, and I kept ignoring his pleadings to tell me what it is since he can't wait until Christmas. I tell him to knock it off and then kiss him on the lips before he tries to fight me on it, and that helps shutting him up for a while. He can be such a stubborn child sometimes, really. But I love that so much about him. I love how he never gives up even in the face of adversities.

Can he fit inside my world after all?

"You're such a romantic," Soujiro giggles as he snuggles up closer to me in front of the fire place, the large blanket covering the both of us together, "Thank you for being here with me."

"Of course. Where else would I go?" I smile.

"With Kaoru?"

I hesitate and sputter, "Y-yeah right!"

He laughs, "I mean. I understand. You guys have a lot of history together. And I feel awful about her situation right now. I just.. I just hope you and I can still be together in the future, somehow."

"That's why.. that's why I want to go to the same college as you do." I shrug casually.

"I was against it before, but.." He sighs, lying his head against the crane of my neck, "Yes. Let's do it. Let's apply to the same schools together. I don't want to spend another minute away from you, Kenshin."

"And after college?" I question, tightening my grip of his hand reassuringly.

"Hmm. What do you want to do with me after college?"

"Move in together? Work in the same company? Or if not, close to each other so we come home around the same time? Or I can work from home and you can work outside so that I can make you dinner?"

Soujiro giggles, "Oh my God. Let's just get married if that's the case!"

My breath catches in my throat, face heating up, "Yes."

He looks at me like I just grew a new head, "What?!"

"I'll marry you, Soujiro."

He gapes at me for a while, and then his face softens into a warm smile, "Yes. I'd love that, so much."

I sigh, my heart fluttering, "I love you, Soujiro."

"I love you too, Kenshin.."

He holds my hand and I hold his back. I'm so in love with him, it's crazy. I have to find a way to break up with Kaoru without rousing anybody's suspicions or breaking the group dynamic. This is going to be so fucking hard, but where there's a will, there's a way. I've been in pretty shitty situations before and got out of them largely unscathed. So, I'm confident that I'll be okay with this mess I've made, too. In the meanwhile, though, I will lay my principles aside and just lie through my teeth until I find the answer. I like things the way they are going right now. It's all low drama and nobody knows anything, except me. If I have to carry this weight of burden just to save everyone's feelings for a while, I'll do it. The future is looking bright anyway, now that Soujiro and I are in a proper relationship. A secretive one still, sure, but a real relationship. With love, and spending time together outside of sexual activities, and building memories together..

I'm not gonna fuck that up for anything in the world. I won't!

"Say.. Kenshin.. Do you wanna play?" Soujiro turns his face towards the side of my neck and takes a small, slow bite on it.

I shudder in pleasure, setting down my cup of finished cocoa as well as his, before I turn towards him to devour his lips with my own.

Like I said.. I'm not going to fuck this up for anything in the world.

I won't.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

We're in the walk in shower now in Soujiro's bathroom. The water drenches us as Soujiro sucks on my cock happily, while I lean against the stone wall behind me and tighten my grip on his chocolate locks. I grit my teeth and groan in intervals, his deep throating sending me into a psychological nirvana. I sometimes wonder how Kaoru would measure up, but I think she wouldn't be the type to do it anyway, so I don't entertain the thoughts for too long. Though I have had sex with her a few times after I deflowered her, it's always so sweet and loving in contrast to Soujiro's more passionate side. I'm not so into it when I'm doing it with Kaoru, but with Soujiro, it's like I can take off all my masks and just be in the moment completely. And it always feels so much better because of that. With Soujiro.. I'm just me.

"Argh," I moan, "I'm gonna―!"

I nearly rip my dick out of his mouth and hold it in front him, my cum projecting all over his face. I've never done that to anyone before, having heard of guys doing it to their partners. But I never had it in me to do so with my previous sexual partners. I was worried it'd be disrespectful or even disgusting. Turns out, doing it on Soujiro's face is nothing short of delicious. I am breathing in and out deeply, looking on with lust as the water cleans the cum out of his face and letting some enter through his lips. I rub my thumb over his eye to wipe the remaining white fluid off, and he opens his eyes to smile brightly back at me. I can't imagine Kaoru looking at me like that while on her knees.

Finally as I catch my breath, I whisper hoarsely, "Sit down. It's your turn."

He does as he is told, and I got on my knees, licking and sucking on his hard throbbing cock. He tastes so good, I swear. He writhes and moans, bucking his hips and his chest seemingly puffing out from the shocks of pleasure coursing through his veins. The skin on his face and chest reddens the closer he comes to finishing, and he groans, "Aw yeah, that's it..!"

I hastily grab the sides of his hips to drag him down on the shower floor, and I got on top of him to make out with him furiously. Soujiro immediately wraps his arms around me as well as his legs around my hips. I can feel myself hardening again, ready for another round. It didn't take long for the kissing me and humping him until my dick eases its way naturally inside of him. He grunts and moans as I grind myself into him. I guess it is becoming apparent as to how much I love fucking him under water. It feels good, what can I say!? His legs soon couldn't stay together and he spreads them out a little, arching his back the harder I fuck him. Not even the sweetest love making with Kaoru could ever beat this. It's horrible that I have to have sex with both of them when neither of them know of what's happening.

But like I said, I'll figure something out.

I just need time.

"KenshinNnNnnn.." Soujiro convulses as he cums tremendously from below me, his hot fluid covering his slick wet stomach. That sight alone did it and I cum into his ass right after, and we both lie limp on that shower floor for several more minutes to catch our breaths. Soujiro runs his fingers through my long hair while I brush my fingernails against his shoulder and forearm, just enjoying these last few moments of me being warm inside of him. We wash each other afterward happily before we spend the rest of the day playing video games in his bedroom, eating snacks and just being regular guys around each other.

I had to leave that evening because even though I'd rather shoot my foot than spend another moment away from Soujiro, I still want to spend the holidays with my step dad. Christmas is best spent with family anyway, and if Soujiro feels too lonesome.. No.. I can't invite him over. I don't want him to see the state Hiko and I live in. Our home is a fire dumpster site in comparison to Soujiro's grand mansion. I told Soujiro if he gets too sad, that I'll definitely come over or we can spend some time together after Christmas is over. Before I left his mansion, though, Soujiro hands me a wrapped up present and kisses me sweetly goodbye for now. And on Christmas morning, I open that box to see that it's a big book about world traveling. I wonder if he's trying to tell me something. Either way, I love it.

That Christmas afternoon after a nice breakfast with Hiko, I drove to Soujiro's mansion with my own present to give him. I think he'll be home now. I texted him from my truck just in case, though. He replied that he's out food shopping but he'll use his phone to unlock the gate. Fancy technology for the win. I use the spare key to let myself inside the mansion, taking off my boots and going up the stairs in order to put his gift under his bed. Before I do, though, something catches my eye; all the way down the hallway, are these double doors that surely means that it belongs to his father. Is it his dad's master bed room? I wonder how that old rich guy lives. If Soujiro's room and bathroom looks amazing, I bet his father lives like a king. Am I even allowed to take a peek?

I chew on the inside of my cheek, pondering. I mean.. Maybe that man is.. hiding something there? I shake my head. Where are these thoughts coming from? I shouldn't care about that. I should put his gift away and wait for Soujiro like a good little boyfriend. Right?

I turn to Soujiro's bedroom door, and then freeze. I look over at the double doors again. Maybe.. Maybe just a quick scan around that room won't hurt. I'm not going to touch anything there, anyway. It's just.. It's just so I know what kind of father raised such a beautiful boy, that's all. Maybe his dad is not so bad. Maybe distant and travels too much for his career, but maybe he's a great guy? I set my gift down on the floor before walking on over to the double doors, my heart jumping in anticipation. Calm down, Kenshin. It's just a room. It's not going to do anything to you. And you won't touch or move anything so Soujiro won't get mad. And if I hear him coming into the mansion, I'll just bolt out of there in time. That's right.

My hand is shaking as I take the door handle (It's not even a door knob but a fucking fancy gold plated handle.) and move it downward to unlock it. I push the door open and walk into the master bed room. And it is just as I imagine it; It's a huge fucking room fit for a king, indeed. The bed is surrounded by marble statues of Greek mythology. Yes, I wish I was lying to you when I said that. There are large vanity sets and an open ceiling where it looks like it is painted by Michael Angelo himself; cherub angels and rosy gold clouds are the last thing this guy sees before he goes to sleep every night he's home. Lucky bastard. He actually has two bathrooms; one is just a small one that contains a walk in shower a lot like Soujiro's, and the other one is the master bathroom with an underground Jacuzzi tub right in the center of it. Like I said.. lucky bastard!

I do notice something.. strange about this place. Looking all around me, there are painted portraits of young adolescents in questionable poses. Some were male and some female. I mean, I can't tell if they're the legal age at the time of the paintings or not, but their faces look a little too young for my comfort. Maybe he got them from a black market somewhere and didn't think much of it? Maybe I'm reading too much into it. He has other neat stuff too; collections, souvenirs and memorabilia of countries he visited like France and Italy, China and Thailand, Kenya and Nigeria, among many others. This guy has been around the world a couple of times, and it shows. How I'd love to do the same.

I wonder if Soujiro comes here from time to time when he's home alone. I wonder if he misses his dad a lot. I wonder if he even sleeps in his bed all alone at night just because that is the only way he can feel close to his dad. That has to be really sad if that's true. I sigh and deflated. Poor Soujiro. I'm going to give him so many hugs and kisses today. I can't believe how mushy I've become ever since my heart has become completely open to loving Soujiro. But.. It's not that bad. It feels really good to love someone else so sincerely, actually. I smile. I think I'm gonna leave. I can't hang around here forever. There's nothing here of interest..

I stop looking around when my eyes landed on a laptop that sits on a small desk right across from the bed. I blink. It's off. Well, of course it's off. The dude's not here to use it. Could there be something in it that the world isn't ready to know? Maybe his dad is doing something illegal on it? Does Soujiro uses this laptop or does he stay far away from it? Maybe there's something in it I can use to.. well. No. There's nothing I want from this to hurt Soujiro. I love Soujiro, right?! I blink some more and then shake my head. No! I shouldn't! I shouldn't look at it.. I'm not doing that stupid investigation anymore.. There is nothing there to criminalize Soujiro in it, anyway! I should go! This isn't right at all! I turn around towards the door when it immediately opens, and my blood freezes.

Soujiro stands there with a shocked expression on his face, and we both stand there not even a foot away from each other, silent.

"K.. Kenshin?" He whispers with a pained twist in his voice.

And it was at this moment.. I knew.. I fucked up.

[To be continued.]